Boston Globe: 12/8/04 Odor complaints, closing sneak up on school officials

[Guest guest]

Aren't remediation standards a part of HR1268? Geeze. Why not expose

children and teachers to more assaults?

THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING

Odor complaints, closing sneak up on school officials

By Jan, Globe Staff  |  December 8, 2004

Burnt rubber. Rotten eggs. New sneakers. This is not what an elementary

school is supposed to smell like.

But Pembroke's ville Elementary School does, some say, causing town

health officials to close the school while they try to figure out whether the

odor is making pupils sick.

The school system is struggling with where to educate ville's 600

students. It's an odd way to get days off from school and underscores one of the

mo

dern challenges facing school administrators: When is an odor more than merely

unpleasant?

School was canceled yesterday, as were last night's parent-teacher

conferences. And not everyone in town is happy about it.

Some contend that the school is unsafe, while others say the Board of Health

responded rashly to a handful of complaints.

Terry Finnegan, a ville parent and chairwoman of the school's

facilities committee, said she's outraged with the Board of Health. Because the

school

system has to make up the missed school days, Finnegan fears that her son will

be in school until July.

" I'm upset my son's education is being interrupted, " said Finnegan, who

called the Board of Health overzealous and underinformed.

The Board of Health decided Monday night to close the school indefinitely,

after a half-dozen parents complained that their children were coming home sick.

ville's closing has also upset Pembroke school leaders, who say a

previous air quality test indicated the school was safe. Health officials say

they

are just being cautious.

" My biggest concern is what we're going to do with these kids, " said School

Superintendent Randall.

Randall shut the school for three days in mid-November and reopened it after

an air quality test found no problems. The smell was linked to a rubber

sealant used in the cafeteria, which has been undergoing renovations to fix a

problem with mold.

" Certainly the test reports that we received about three weeks ago suggested

that everything was safe in the building, so to have us questioning this

situation at this point in time is distressing, " she said. " It's frustrating,

and

it's time-consuming. "

Prompted by continued parent complaints, the Pembroke Board of Health has

hired an independent contractor to conduct more air quality tests today. The

state Department of Public Health will inspect the building tomorrow.

How long the ville School remains closed will depend on test results,

which school officials hope will be ready by the end of the week. School can

open as early as tomorrow, if tests come back normal, officials said at a School

Committee meeting last night.

Health officials said they did not think the previous tests were thorough

enough. They remained unsatisfied because no one knew what was causing the odor

or whether it was hazardous.

" We wanted to err on the side of safety, " said Spellmeyer, one of three

Board of Health members.

The smell was first detected about three weeks ago after workers sprayed the

cafeteria ceiling with the sealant, used to fix a mold problem. The sealant

was a two-part mixture that its manufacturer told school officials was odorless

and safe. But a stench permeated the school within two days.

Spellmeyer said she and the two other board members received calls over the

weekend from worried parents. Seven parents complained that their children had

fallen ill since the sealant was sprayed, including one child with asthma and

another who has grown " pale and listless, " she said.

Finnegan, however, said that while parents have a right to be concerned, " We

have done everything possible to make sure the building is safe before letting

children back in there, " she said.

The school's problems stem from renovations that began in 2002. Rain that

summer caused mold to develop in the cafeteria roof and ceiling, which was left

open. The school's cafeteria has been closed since the spring, when black

stains appeared across the fiberglass ceiling board. In the meantime, students

have

had bag lunches prepared at other schools, eating in their classrooms.

The fiberglass was torn down in the fall and the mold removed, said Fred

Leary, a health inspector with the Pembroke Board of Health. The sealant applied

in mid-November is supposed to prevent mold from growing in the future.

If this week's tests show contaminants in the air, the school system will

have a hard time relocating students to other buildings, said Mike Tropeano,

School Committee chairman.

Leary, whose three daughters attend ville, said he feels the school is

safe enough for his children.

" But can we honestly tell a parent it's 100 percent safe? " he said. " No. And

we want to be able to tell them that. "

Jan can be reached at tjan@.... 

© Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company

 

[Guest guest]

I was intrigued by a few lines in the article on school odor and whether

people are getting sick because of it. " Randall shut the school for three

days in mid-November and reopened it after

an air quality test found no problems. " " Certainly the test reports that we

received about three weeks ago suggested that everything was safe in the

building " . Fortunately, someone was not so gullible: " Health officials said

they did not think the previous tests were thorough

enough. They remained unsatisfied because no one knew what was causing the

odor

or whether it was hazardous. "

I suspect my history is like many others on this board. I worked many

years at the same job, the last several in a room with a distinct mold odor

emanating from the HVAC. That exposure created a hypersensitivity, or

allergy. The allergy was not pre-existing. Because of managerial neglect,

this condition developed. After that problem was finally fixed, the problem

remained, leading to my early retirement. Interestingly, at that time, air

quality tests found " no evidence of any bio-aerosols which can be causing

Mr. Vices's alleged problems. The building is perfectly safe. " Its too bad a

few other people developed similar problems before they too left. Poor air

quality can be safe for anyone for short time spans. Air testing is only

meaningful when the exact culprit is known so that a proper testing protocol

can be run.

Gil

Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2004 09:37:41 EST

From: MLMJ75@...

Subject: Boston Globe: 12/8/04 Odor complaints, closing sneak up on school

officials

Aren't remediation standards a part of HR1268? Geeze. Why not expose

children and teachers to more assaults?

Odor complaints, closing sneak up on school officials

By Jan, Globe Staff  |  December 8, 2004

Burnt rubber. Rotten eggs. New sneakers. This is not what an elementary

school is supposed to smell like.

But Pembroke's ville Elementary School does, some say, causing town

health officials to close the school while they try to figure out whether

the

odor is making pupils sick.

The school system is struggling with where to educate ville's 600

students. It's an odd way to get days off from school and underscores one of

the mo

dern challenges facing school administrators: When is an odor more than

merely

unpleasant?

School was canceled yesterday, as were last night's parent-teacher

conferences. And not everyone in town is happy about it.

Some contend that the school is unsafe, while others say the Board of Health

responded rashly to a handful of complaints.

Terry Finnegan, a ville parent and chairwoman of the school's

facilities committee, said she's outraged with the Board of Health. Because

the school

system has to make up the missed school days, Finnegan fears that her son

will

be in school until July.

" I'm upset my son's education is being interrupted, " said Finnegan, who

called the Board of Health overzealous and underinformed.

The Board of Health decided Monday night to close the school indefinitely,

after a half-dozen parents complained that their children were coming home

sick.

ville's closing has also upset Pembroke school leaders, who say a

previous air quality test indicated the school was safe. Health officials

say they

are just being cautious.

" My biggest concern is what we're going to do with these kids, " said School

Superintendent Randall.

Randall shut the school for three days in mid-November and reopened it after

an air quality test found no problems. The smell was linked to a rubber

sealant used in the cafeteria, which has been undergoing renovations to fix

a

problem with mold.

" Certainly the test reports that we received about three weeks ago suggested

that everything was safe in the building, so to have us questioning this

situation at this point in time is distressing, " she said. " It's

frustrating, and

it's time-consuming. "

Prompted by continued parent complaints, the Pembroke Board of Health has

hired an independent contractor to conduct more air quality tests today. The

state Department of Public Health will inspect the building tomorrow.

How long the ville School remains closed will depend on test results,

which school officials hope will be ready by the end of the week. School can

open as early as tomorrow, if tests come back normal, officials said at a

School

Committee meeting last night.

Health officials said they did not think the previous tests were thorough

enough. They remained unsatisfied because no one knew what was causing the

odor

or whether it was hazardous.

" We wanted to err on the side of safety, " said Spellmeyer, one of three

Board of Health members.

The smell was first detected about three weeks ago after workers sprayed the

cafeteria ceiling with the sealant, used to fix a mold problem. The sealant

was a two-part mixture that its manufacturer told school officials was

odorless

and safe. But a stench permeated the school within two days.

Spellmeyer said she and the two other board members received calls over the

weekend from worried parents. Seven parents complained that their children

had

fallen ill since the sealant was sprayed, including one child with asthma

and

another who has grown " pale and listless, " she said.

Finnegan, however, said that while parents have a right to be concerned, " We

have done everything possible to make sure the building is safe before

letting

children back in there, " she said.

The school's problems stem from renovations that began in 2002. Rain that

summer caused mold to develop in the cafeteria roof and ceiling, which was

left

open. The school's cafeteria has been closed since the spring, when black

stains appeared across the fiberglass ceiling board. In the meantime,

students have

had bag lunches prepared at other schools, eating in their classrooms.

The fiberglass was torn down in the fall and the mold removed, said Fred

Leary, a health inspector with the Pembroke Board of Health. The sealant

applied

in mid-November is supposed to prevent mold from growing in the future.

If this week's tests show contaminants in the air, the school system will

have a hard time relocating students to other buildings, said Mike Tropeano,

School Committee chairman.

Leary, whose three daughters attend ville, said he feels the school is

safe enough for his children.

" But can we honestly tell a parent it's 100 percent safe? " he said. " No. And

we want to be able to tell them that. "

Jan can be reached at tjan@.... 

© Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company

 

[Guest guest]

I was intrigued by a few lines in the article on school odor and whether

people are getting sick because of it. " Randall shut the school for three

days in mid-November and reopened it after

an air quality test found no problems. " " Certainly the test reports that we

received about three weeks ago suggested that everything was safe in the

building " . Fortunately, someone was not so gullible: " Health officials said

they did not think the previous tests were thorough

enough. They remained unsatisfied because no one knew what was causing the

odor

or whether it was hazardous. "

I suspect my history is like many others on this board. I worked many

years at the same job, the last several in a room with a distinct mold odor

emanating from the HVAC. That exposure created a hypersensitivity, or

allergy. The allergy was not pre-existing. Because of managerial neglect,

this condition developed. After that problem was finally fixed, the problem

remained, leading to my early retirement. Interestingly, at that time, air

quality tests found " no evidence of any bio-aerosols which can be causing

Mr. Vices's alleged problems. The building is perfectly safe. " Its too bad a

few other people developed similar problems before they too left. Poor air

quality can be safe for anyone for short time spans. Air testing is only

meaningful when the exact culprit is known so that a proper testing protocol

can be run.

Gil

Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2004 09:37:41 EST

From: MLMJ75@...

Subject: Boston Globe: 12/8/04 Odor complaints, closing sneak up on school

officials

Aren't remediation standards a part of HR1268? Geeze. Why not expose

children and teachers to more assaults?

Odor complaints, closing sneak up on school officials

By Jan, Globe Staff  |  December 8, 2004

Burnt rubber. Rotten eggs. New sneakers. This is not what an elementary

school is supposed to smell like.

But Pembroke's ville Elementary School does, some say, causing town

health officials to close the school while they try to figure out whether

the

odor is making pupils sick.

The school system is struggling with where to educate ville's 600

students. It's an odd way to get days off from school and underscores one of

the mo

dern challenges facing school administrators: When is an odor more than

merely

unpleasant?

School was canceled yesterday, as were last night's parent-teacher

conferences. And not everyone in town is happy about it.

Some contend that the school is unsafe, while others say the Board of Health

responded rashly to a handful of complaints.

Terry Finnegan, a ville parent and chairwoman of the school's

facilities committee, said she's outraged with the Board of Health. Because

the school

system has to make up the missed school days, Finnegan fears that her son

will

be in school until July.

" I'm upset my son's education is being interrupted, " said Finnegan, who

called the Board of Health overzealous and underinformed.

The Board of Health decided Monday night to close the school indefinitely,

after a half-dozen parents complained that their children were coming home

sick.

ville's closing has also upset Pembroke school leaders, who say a

previous air quality test indicated the school was safe. Health officials

say they

are just being cautious.

" My biggest concern is what we're going to do with these kids, " said School

Superintendent Randall.

Randall shut the school for three days in mid-November and reopened it after

an air quality test found no problems. The smell was linked to a rubber

sealant used in the cafeteria, which has been undergoing renovations to fix

a

problem with mold.

" Certainly the test reports that we received about three weeks ago suggested

that everything was safe in the building, so to have us questioning this

situation at this point in time is distressing, " she said. " It's

frustrating, and

it's time-consuming. "

Prompted by continued parent complaints, the Pembroke Board of Health has

hired an independent contractor to conduct more air quality tests today. The

state Department of Public Health will inspect the building tomorrow.

How long the ville School remains closed will depend on test results,

which school officials hope will be ready by the end of the week. School can

open as early as tomorrow, if tests come back normal, officials said at a

School

Committee meeting last night.

Health officials said they did not think the previous tests were thorough

enough. They remained unsatisfied because no one knew what was causing the

odor

or whether it was hazardous.

" We wanted to err on the side of safety, " said Spellmeyer, one of three

Board of Health members.

The smell was first detected about three weeks ago after workers sprayed the

cafeteria ceiling with the sealant, used to fix a mold problem. The sealant

was a two-part mixture that its manufacturer told school officials was

odorless

and safe. But a stench permeated the school within two days.

Spellmeyer said she and the two other board members received calls over the

weekend from worried parents. Seven parents complained that their children

had

fallen ill since the sealant was sprayed, including one child with asthma

and

another who has grown " pale and listless, " she said.

Finnegan, however, said that while parents have a right to be concerned, " We

have done everything possible to make sure the building is safe before

letting

children back in there, " she said.

The school's problems stem from renovations that began in 2002. Rain that

summer caused mold to develop in the cafeteria roof and ceiling, which was

left

open. The school's cafeteria has been closed since the spring, when black

stains appeared across the fiberglass ceiling board. In the meantime,

students have

had bag lunches prepared at other schools, eating in their classrooms.

The fiberglass was torn down in the fall and the mold removed, said Fred

Leary, a health inspector with the Pembroke Board of Health. The sealant

applied

in mid-November is supposed to prevent mold from growing in the future.

If this week's tests show contaminants in the air, the school system will

have a hard time relocating students to other buildings, said Mike Tropeano,

School Committee chairman.

Leary, whose three daughters attend ville, said he feels the school is

safe enough for his children.

" But can we honestly tell a parent it's 100 percent safe? " he said. " No. And

we want to be able to tell them that. "

Jan can be reached at tjan@.... 

© Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company